Access over ownership is the mantra of the sharing economy: a sector based on peer-to-peer lending, borrowing, exchange and collaboration. The idea of borrowing a ladder from your neighbour, who then pops round for a cup of sugar the next day, is not new. But the technology which now facilitates and formalises these exchanges is.

Rachel Botsman, author of What's Mine Is Yours: How Collaborative Consumption is Changing the Way We Live has valued the consumer peer-to-peer rental market at $26bn (£15bn), and new services and platforms are popping up all the time. Online review systems mean that the gauge for success is based on trust. The anxiety of handing over your car keys or your pet to a stranger is eased by the transparency of the transaction, and the checks and balances put in place to ensure safety. Crash a borrowed car and you won't be getting a glowing review.

Well-known services such as Airbnb and Uber have met with success and gathered lots of attention. Here are eight more - working under the same principles of collaborative consumption - to watch out for.

Ordered a dress that doesn't quite fit and want to see it go to a good home? Modern day consignment boutique, Vinted.com allows users to sell or swap pre-loved clothing, and aims "to make secondhand clothing the best and easiest choice." Although Vinted takes a fee when items are sold, users can swap items at no cost.

Fairweather skiiers, surfers and cyclists can use Spinlister to rent out their equipment. Useful for those who have invested in a racing bike or other sporting gear but feel it's not getting used to its fullest potential or anyone after fancier gear. Listings so far are concentrated in the US.

If you've overestimated appetites at your last social gathering and can't stomach the thought of eating bean salad for the next fortnight - or throwing it in the bin - LeftoverSwap can help. Take a picture of your offerings and arrange for pick up or delivery.

A US-based service, RelayRides allows car owners to rent out their under-used vehicles. Renters can find a vehicle that's close to where they live, instead of trekking out to a rental lot, and can rest easy safety wise, as insurance is provided by RelayRides. They estimate that by renting out your car to neighbours, an average of 14 other cars are kept off the road.

A ride-sharing service based in the UK, BlaBlaCar matches riders looking to hitch a ride with drivers interested in getting some help with fuel costs for long journeys. Riders pay a set fee directly to the driver for a seat, which is enough to help with motoring costs, and is usually between 50% to 90% cheaper than a train.

Instead of sending your dog to a kennel while you're away, DogVacay sitters take care of your dog in their own home. A feature of the service is daily photo updates of your dog enjoying its vacation, and of course, peace of mind that it is well looked after.

Streetbank allows neighbours to share with each other. According to its website there are currently 40,683 neighbours sharing 51,338 things - everything from tools and instruments, to sofa beds and skills. The aim is to build a sense of community through lending and it's free to join.

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